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A group of seven people accused of being the left-wing extremist organization the Antifa Ost network went on trial on Tuesday, facing charges for attacks targeting far-right activists that resulted in the moniker “the hammer group”.

Global terrorist designation and prosecution case

Earlier this month, the United States classified the organization as a terrorist organization together with multiple additional European far-left and anarchist groups.

German prosecutors state the network was behind attacks on locations in Germany and neighboring Hungary from 2018 through 2023. Among the incidents is the repeated targeting of a restaurant owner in central Thuringia, whose establishment reportedly served as a meeting point for far-right supporters.

Some suspects are said to have using hammers against suspected far-right members, causing several severely injured.

Court proceedings and international connections

Court proceedings involving six men and one woman is scheduled to continue until mid-2026 in the eastern city of Dresden. Two defendants, identified as Johann G. and Paul M., also face charges for violent incidents in the Hungarian capital during early 2023, around an annual event called the “day of honour” that attracts far-right participants from throughout the continent.

Separately, another German activist, Maja T, is facing trial in Hungary for four counts of attempted assault against far-right activists prior to the same rally in that year.

Regional context and group hierarchy

The former East Germany has long been a breeding ground for both right-wing extremist and anti-immigration youth organizations, as well as the frequently radical antifascist groups that oppose them.

Prosecutors describe Johann G as a high-ranking member within Antifa Ost, responsible for planning attacks and recruiting accomplices.

Together with Paul M., he is alleged to have arranged instruction courses where radical left activists trained in fighting methods and simulated violent actions. At depots managed by the suspect, the group allegedly accumulated tools, pepper spray, concealment items and communication devices.

Previous convictions and international reactions

A different activist formerly involved with the organization, Lina E., emerged as a cause celebre within some far-left activist circles following her 2023 guilty verdict for targeting presumed far-right targets.

America's terrorist listing makes group members ineligible to enter the US, freezes any assets they may have within the world’s largest economy and criminalizes offering assistance to them.

Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany applauded the American move and called on the German administration to follow suit. However, the country's diplomatic office simply stated it had “taken note” of the US designation.

“The threat from the [Antifa Ost] group has recently decreased significantly. The ringleaders and particularly violent members have received convictions or remain detained.”

Interior ministry spokesperson